JPRestaurants has been operating much-loved sites on Jersey for almost 80 years. This currently includes Banjo, a brasserie and former gentleman’s club in St Helier, The Oyster Box and Jersey Crab Shack, on the beachside at St Brelade’s Bay. It also runs the island’s airport and harbour cafes Cafe Ube.
The business was started by the grandparents of its co-owner and managing director, Robert Jones.
‘I think they’d be very proud of this move,’ he said.
‘It’s about looking ahead and future-proofing the business. Channel Island Hospitality have got a fabulous investment with Randalls in Guernsey and they were looking for opportunities here in Jersey, and the synergy was great. We’re delighted to be partnering with them to help grow the business – to build on our past successes, and hopefully we’ll be here for another 80 years.
‘It’s well documented that the hospitality industry throughout the world is going through a challenging time, but I’m personally passionate about hospitality, as is the team at JPRestaurants. It’s what we do.
‘People want to go out and have fun and we’re there as entertainers. We’re always enthusiastic about the future, and we just embrace and deal with the challenges as they come.’
Mr Jones will remain a significant shareholder and the sites will continue to operate as normal throughout the transition.
‘I’ve been working the business for 37 years,’ he said.
‘We’ve built a loyal customer base and have grown with those families over the years. I’ve seen children come in as toddlers, and then been at their weddings and then their children come along. It’s nice that a family member will still be involved.
‘We don’t want any knee-jerk reaction to anything, we’re just going to evolve.’
CI Hospitality owns the Guernsey-based brewer, distiller and supplier Randalls, which owns and manages more than 20 pubs, restaurants, hotels and shops. The partnership will see fresh capital invested across the JPRestaurants group, with a focus on maintaining each venue’s character.
‘We see enormous potential in Banjo, Oyster Box, and Jersey Crab Shack,’ said Brian O’Mahoney, head of corporate finance at Ravenscroft Capital, owners of CI Hospitality.
‘We’re excited to support the business with investment, strategic insight, and long-term commitment, while preserving the individuality that makes each venue special.’
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